Reviewing our budget #fivefrugalthings

In this week’s five frugal things round up, I have been reviewing our budget and looking at good, old fashioned thrift as a way to keep us on track.

A new budget

My circumstances are about to change. From next Friday I will no longer be in employment. Far from worrying about this, I am viewing it as a massive opportunity. The chance to take voluntary redundancy has come just at the right time for me. Regular readers will know that I have had a few health issues in the last year. Actually, the 9-5 has felt ridiculously hard for the past couple of years.

Now I will be able to set my own schedule. I have all sorts of ideas for self employment and will blog them all as I go. Because I want my redundancy money to last as long as possible, I have sat myself down to devise a new budget.

We have pretty much pared down to the wire, but can do better. I am making sure the grocery budget is kept as low as possible by being creative in the kitchen. Home grown veg and big buckets of soup on the way!

Soup

Talking of soup, as I type I have a big pot of vegetable stock bubbling away on the stove. I save all of the vegetable peelings and trimmings to use for this. I started Slimming World this week, so thought a hearty vegetable soup would make a good (syn free) lunch each day.

Boot sale

Another good one for my five frugal things round up. It being bank holiday weekend, my daughter and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of some of our accumulated junk. The weather forecast is a bit disappointing, but it looks just about good enough, cold but no rain due.

I have been trying to work out how to put together the clothes rail. Tomorrow we will be dragging bags and boxes in from the shed in readiness. Can’t wait!

Extra layers

On the subject of weather, it is all over the place at the moment – I am sure it is the same for you. It was so warm over Easter we had turned the heating off, but it has been freezing at times. The heating has gone on, but only as a last resort. I have bought some throws downstairs and worn extra layers rather than turning it straight on. I think we will have a fire tonight!

We don’t go for the cheapest energy, but opt for Good Energy as our provider. They use 100% renewables for electricity and are very good for customer service, as I explained in my review here. If you fancy swapping to greener energy and use my referral code, we will both receive a £50 credit.

Cheap cinema tickets

One of the only perks from my current job is half price cinema tickets. We don’t go very often but always enjoy it when we do. As the vouchers last for a year I have bought a load of them so that we can have a few cheap nights out in the next few months.

There is actually a ton of good TV on at the moment. We have been enjoying Line of Duty, the Bay and the Victim, among others. One that I found by accident on the BBC iPlayer that I really recommend is Back to Life, about a woman who is released from prison after 18 years. It is written by and stars Daisy Haggard and I think she is brilliant. The series is warm and moving, and a very original and sensitively handled idea. Loved it!

This is what we did in our last team meeting….

Wish me luck for my last week at work. I know it was the right decision for me, but I am going to miss the loonies I work with. Such a great bunch.

I hope you enjoyed by five frugal things round up. How has your week been and have you been sticking to the budget? Let me know in the comments below.

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Comments

I’m sure you will manage. The extra time you will have through not having to go to work will enable you to look for even more ways to save money. It’s an adventure for sure, it’s a game, make it a game you are going to win. Best of luck on your new journey. ilona

Sounds like we enjoy the same kind of TV so I will definitely be investigating ‘Back to Life’. I thought the final episode of The Victim was superb. Some of the best acting I’ve seen in ages.
Although I did like cooking, it was when I took voluntary redundancy in 2011, that my interest really grew. More time to experiment gives rise to better use of ingredients and learning to really be inventive with leftovers or an odd selection of bits and pieces. I work three ‘long’ mornings a week now which is much better though really I’d love to retire completely.

Good Luck with your new lifestyle and have a good final week with your friends.When I gave up work 9 years ago (early 50s ) the first 2 weeks were just as if it was 2 weeks holiday and after that it was a little weird but soon got used to it and I love challenging myself to create cheap and yummy food and ways to be frugal and eco friendly about the home and garden and when it works it feels great, then husband retired, that was even more weird having him about all the time, but he has now a couple of interests and I can always hide in the bedroom! Wishing you happy and healthy times.

I’m so excited for you giving up work and getting to live your life your own way. You’ve shown how resourceful you are, and I’m sure you’ll do well.
I like the sound of Back to Life too. I’ll add it to my massive list of things I want to watch!
Tx

We don’t have slimming world in New Zealand, it always sounds so effective. I save vegetable trimmings, and, since I can no longer be vegetarian (bad anemia) I also add bones. Everywhere I have ever lived, my flatmates have gone ‘ewh’ when they saw me make my vegie stcck, and, all have ended up doing it themselves.

About Me

Would you like to take control of your finances, pay off your debts and save for the future? At Shoestring Cottage we aim to show you that you can live a good and happy life on less than you think, you can get off the consumer treadmill and you can live more simply and healthily and not feel deprived.
We are also moving toward a less wasteful, more sustainable lifestyle and believe frugality and sustainability go hand in hand. Read More…